I first met Rennie Curran over a game of cards in early 2008.  No the game was not Texas Hold ‘Em or Black Jack.  The game was Apples to Apples.  Seriously.  A buddy and I went over to another buddy’s house for a game night and Rennie, then a freshman coming off a spectacular first season, just happened to be there.  He had on one of those athletic pullover jackets that looks puffy on everyone.  It looked puffy on Rennie like it would on anyone else so I gave him a bro-hug while celebrating his athletic achievement with some comment along the lines of “Whooooaaaa…Rennnnnieeee.!!!”  When I went to slap his shoulder I was not greeted with puff.  I was greeted with the harsh reality that is Rennie Curran’s physique.  He was (and is) a beast.  Rennie was kind enough to answer a few questions and share a little more about his soon-to-be-released book, Free Agent, (out April 6th, available for pre-order here). Will the new book turn the “Liberian Dream” into the “Librarian’s Dream”?

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DudeYouCrazy:
Rennie, get Dawg fans up to speed with what you’ve been up to over the past couple years. 

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Rennie Curran:

I don’t even know where to start. Since I left the University of Georgia I have been to too many places, and I have had the opportunity to meets lots of both good and bad people. There have been lots of ups and downs, but all of the experiences have made me a stronger and wiser man. I was originally drafted by Tennessee and played there for the year (Rennie’s rookie season was 2010). The coaching staff that brought me in was fired after my rookie season, the lockout began, and I was released after they decided to bring in a new coaching staff. I was later picked up by the Buccaneers, but ended up being in the same situation with new coaching staff. I  have spent the past couple years traveling, developing relationships, and gaining experience that will help me whether I play another down of football or not. Most of all, I have spent the last couple years trying to be a great father to my beautiful daughter, Eleana Curran.

DudeYouCrazy:
It sounds like you’ve had quite the journey.  Outside of football, what would you label as your greatest accomplishment since leaving the University of Georgia?

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Rennie Curran:

Outside of football, my greatest experience was taking my entire family back to our home country of Liberia after my rookie season. It was always my dream to be able to do this since I was born in Atlanta at the beginning of the Liberian Civil War. The country really embraced me as their own and I was able to see a a lot of things including where my great grandparents were buried, where my parents met, and even got to meet with some government officials. The trip really changed my life after seeing many people that did not have lots of the things we take for granted. I returned back to Atlanta with a new mission, realizing that I wasn’t just playing for myself, but I had a whole country behind me.

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DudeYouCrazy:

Is that the kind of inspiration that made you want to write a book?  How did that mission get started?  There aren’t many 24-year old published authors out there.

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Rennie Curran:

Originally I started writing not as a way to inspire people, but as a way to vent. I was in a place where I had no idea what was going to happen next. A crossroad point where I had to ask myself whether to continue to pursue my dreams, or give it up and pursue other things. As I got into the book I realized that this was a place everyone arrives at some point in their lives. I realized that I could use my story of deciding to not give up on my dreams to encourage and inspire people. I realized that there were many young people that were lost and need a word of advice from someone they can relate to. I had a lot of free time since I was a free agent, and wanted to use the time I was given wisely.

DudeYouCrazy:
That’s a lofty calling, you’re a brave man for taking it on.  In one sentence, tell folks out there why they should pick up a copy of your book? Aside from the fact that both you and I are telling them to.

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Rennie Curran: 

You should buy my book because you or someone you care about will be inspired by at least one of the topics I discuss.

DudeYouCrazy:

That certainly sounds fair enough.  One last nerd question: Were there any authors that you have looked up to whose influence may be seen in Free Agent?

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Rennie Curran:

Napoleon Hill, Malcolm Gladwell, Jon Gordon, Og Mandino to name a few.

DudeYouCrazy:

I’m just going to pretend that you meant to mention me.  I’m sure it was implied though.

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That’s all I got/

Andrew

For more on Rennie Curran and his book go to www.renniecurran.com. 
Autographed advanced copies of his book can be purchased here.  And, for those of you attending G-Day, he will be featured at a book signing at the Georgia Bookstore on April 6th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.